Request for assistance. I'm looking for any information on this sword: mei translation, dates, any other info

[Newbie123]

Hello.  This is my first sword of this type, so I am not very knowledgeable.  Someone on another forum said I might obtain some information from the knowledgable people on this forum.

 

I'm looking for any information on this sword: mei inscription translation, smith name, place of production, possible dates or period of production, or any other info.  I was told that the pieces I have are all from the same sword, but I am not even sure of that.  The tsuba and wooden tsuka were attached on the sword when I got it, and the wood was wrapped in old cotton bandages and string that were almost rotted.  The Tsuba is iron with what appears to be gold, silver, and copper inlay. 

 

The sword is somewhat small:  the overall blade length is 70 centimeters, and the cutting edge length is 54 centimeters.  The fuchi has a dragon carved on it, with gold dots for the eyes (I could not get a good detailed picture of that).  The fuchi also has copper brazing that seems to be very nicely done.

 

The guy I got the sword from said that he had, at some time in the past, used various grits of sandpaper on the blade - I hope he didn't completely ruin it by doing that.  Also, when I got it, the sword was in a WW2 type sheath that was way to long for this blade.

 

Thank you very much to anyone who may be able to help.  I really appreciate it!

[SteveM]

Hello Brian,

Your sword says

豊州高田住藤-  Hōshū Takada-jū Fuji- (the rest is cut off). Though the rest is cut off, we know the next bit completes a clan name, Fujiwara. After that would have been the individual smith's name, which, unfortunately, we can't make a very good guess at this point. 

 

It means "Fujiwara (somebody) from Takada in the Province of Hōshū made this".  Hōshū is present day Fukuoka and Oita Prefecture. The length at roughly 21 or 22 inches makes it a wakizashi - a short sword. It was originally longer, but its been shortened to its current length. This is common and doesn't necessarily ruin the sword. Unfortunately the condition of the sword is very bad, and its questionable whether it can be brought back to life, or if it would be worth trying to do so. Blame the guy who tried to sandpaper it. That is almost always the kiss of death for a Japanese sword. 

 

Sorry to not be able to give you too much joy. This region was a prolific sword-making region, and it produced a lot of average blades, so even in its most pristine condition it isn't likely this was a museum-quality sword. 

 

 

[DoTanuki yokai]

You can try to compare How the existing part of the Mei is cut and compare with others. 
https://www.aoijapan.net/katana-hoshu-takada-ju-fujiwara-munekage/

 

first Google entry looks good already. 

(Without glasses on the iphone )

 

 Sadly it is in this condition.